I had the chance to drive my new Joyner last weekend. I am very pleased with it overall. The power is adequate to pull fairly hard from 2000 RPM up to the rev limiter at about 5200 RPM with a very steady powerband. There is enough power to pull all 4 gears, even if you are in a higher gear than would seem right.
There is some backfiring when I let off the throttle, which I believe is a lean condition that can be fixed by turning in the fuel pressure adjuster on the fuel pump, but there were no flat spots in acceleration. If anyone has feedback on this, I would appreciate hearing from you.
The suspension is much better than my 2007 Joyner 250. It soaks up large ruts, and bumps very well. Whoops are still obsticals that I prefer to slow down for, but if you were up to the punishment, it seems that you could hit them pretty fast without loosing control.
The handeling was good. It does plow a bit in the corners at low speeds, but not at speeds above about 20 MPH. I was in decomposed granite on hard pack and hit a couple of curves at 40-50 MPH that I did not expect. The buggy tracked well through them - thankfully.
Overall, I am really pleased. I am only somewhat limited by the extra width as to the trails that I can go on in the California desert as compared to my 250, but the 800 has a much sportier feel. _________________ 2008 Mini Viper 800
2005 Hammerhead 150
Carb 127.5 Main & 3mm Shim Under Needle, Uni, Turbine Core Exhaust, HO Coil, 1500 Compression Spring, 10.5 g Rollers, ITP Front Rims and 21" Holeshot Tires, 2.5 inch rear wheel spacers
we want to see you at the next buggy bash here in cali _________________ 06 joyner 250 sand viper,red metallic..blue clutch spring 17 gram sliders and upgraded clutch
I didn't notice any heavyness in the steering. One hand is definitly and option. _________________ 2008 Mini Viper 800
2005 Hammerhead 150
Carb 127.5 Main & 3mm Shim Under Needle, Uni, Turbine Core Exhaust, HO Coil, 1500 Compression Spring, 10.5 g Rollers, ITP Front Rims and 21" Holeshot Tires, 2.5 inch rear wheel spacers
I too just got a 2008 Joyner 800cc EFI Mini Viper. It has the upgraded exhaust and K&N style intake.
I bought this for my wife so she'll come out and ride with me and my two sons and she loves this thing. I think I ride it more than she does though. Some things I've noticed about it.
PROs:
1. I weigh about 230 lbs and have had this thing up to 65mph. With your butt 12" off the ground, it's fun, but intimidating.
2. I've had another 230+ lb person with me and this thing will still go, including up some good sized hills.
3. It's been very reliable for me. It starts up the first time every time and I've really broken nothing on it - except the tire, see below.
4. I added ALOT of mud to this thing over the Memorial Day weekend, and it still kept going.
5. Damn this thing is fun.
CONs:
1. From a dead stop on a hill, I can't get it to almost at all. Hmmmm, how to fix it??
2. I've somehow flattened the driver front tire twice on it. After the first time, I took it to Discount Tires for a fix. Now I'm just staring at it wondering if I should replace at least the front tires with a name brand. No, the rim isn't bent
3. The steering is indeed like trying to drain the ocean with a spoon on any type of pavement, and can be difficult when your going over rocks, but it's fine when you're swinging the back end around on some trail. I wouldn't say it's a take-away from the overall buggy.
4. I added ALOT of mud to this thing over the Memorial Day weekend, and it was a GIGANTIC pain in the arse to clean, but I'm happy to say it's spic and span again.
5. The suspension was good for sure, but it could be better. I ride rough trails and have bottomed it out. I'd like to NOT do that even if slowing down is not an option.
So, does anyone have any mods for this thing to solve my CONs? If money was almost no object (I have the money but I'm cheap sometimes - which is why I have the money).
Here's one for you, I just bought a pair of Night Visions Goggles. My wife doesn't know yet, but I wanna take her for a lights out trip on Sancho (the buggy) while wearing these. I used to drive my hummer (USMC 1990-2000) with them (we dont drive those with head lights in the field) so I'm sure I can do Sancho too. _________________ 2008 Joyner 800cc EFI Mini Viper.
2005 Kawasaki Brute Force 750i ATV
2005 Kymko 50cc ATV
I added another 100 miles to my MV 800 this weekend and am still very satisfied with it.
I am curious if anyone has any ideas on the lean condition that it seems to have? It backfires - a series of pops - when I take my foot of the gas. It runs clean, but I think it might run stronger, and cooler, if I could enrich the EFI a bit.
This is a good buggy!
Mike _________________ 2008 Mini Viper 800
2005 Hammerhead 150
Carb 127.5 Main & 3mm Shim Under Needle, Uni, Turbine Core Exhaust, HO Coil, 1500 Compression Spring, 10.5 g Rollers, ITP Front Rims and 21" Holeshot Tires, 2.5 inch rear wheel spacers
5. The suspension was good for sure, but it could be better. I ride rough trails and have bottomed it out. I'd like to NOT do that even if slowing down is not an option.
So, does anyone have any mods for this thing to solve my CONs? If money was almost no object (I have the money but I'm cheap sometimes - which is why I have the money).
Fox shocks are available for the 800 MV. That will help your suspension.
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